Reika
2011-11-04T20:06:49.000Z
I think I'm dealing with the side effects of being post-menopause: mood swings, irritability (lets face it, sometimes downright ANGRY),
Reika
2011-11-04T20:07:26.000Z
trouble sleeping (staying asleep), depression (sometimes just sad), and anxiety. This morning was BAD (anger issues).
Reika
2011-11-04T20:08:03.000Z
Web research says complex carbs to up seratonin, melatonin for sleep, exercise, and meditation.
Reika
2011-11-04T20:08:12.000Z
Anybody have any tips? What's worked for you?
Reika
2011-11-04T20:08:43.000Z
I really don't have hot flashes anymore; when I do, they are mild. It's the emotional stuff that's getting to me right now.
Reika
2011-11-04T20:09:14.000Z
I've had more headaches recently and am now tired all the time. Increasing my potassium and vitamin d have helped a lot but I still don't
Reika
2011-11-04T20:09:54.000Z
feel well. Internist offered meds but was happy when I turned them down as he feels my symptoms are too mild for prescription treatment.
Reika
2011-11-04T20:10:09.000Z
He had nothing else to offer, however.
Reika
2011-11-04T20:10:26.000Z
FYI, I have a soy allergy so can't use that for its estrogen effect.
working with a sleeping baby at the moment but let me see what I can come up with
Reika
2011-11-04T22:50:12.000Z
Thanks!
Exercise, daily walking and/or yoga or pilates seems like it would be a big help for the depression and energy without taxing you so much
that it has a countereffect.
It may also help with the insomnia.
I don't recall, are you still a coffee or tea drinker?
Reika
2011-11-04T22:55:56.000Z
Coffee, but I do limit to 2 or 3 days a week, in general. For the past 3 to 4 weeks it's climbed up there to nearly every day because I'm so
What time of day is your last cuppa joe?
And do you watch much tv in the late hours?
Reika
2011-11-04T22:56:27.000Z
damn tired. I'm even having trouble concentrating. I restrict intake to no later than lunch time, overall about 2 cups a day.
Reika
2011-11-04T22:56:56.000Z
Yeah, I watch TV and/or read late in the day. I'm a natural night owl and have struggled with this all my life. However, it's not been an
Reika
2011-11-04T22:57:09.000Z
issue til lately.
TV decreases melatonin levels so it may be contributing to your insomnia and creating a vicious cycle.
Reading wouldn't be a problem though
Melatonin levels also decrease as we age, especially (like so many other hormones) after age 35.
Reika
2011-11-04T23:09:47.000Z
Interesting. So that's why old folks have sleep trouble.
Reika
2011-11-04T23:10:30.000Z
The tv is a problem in our household, especially Monday - Wednesday cuz
Horgon doesn't get home til 10:30 or so and that's when we catch up
Reika
2011-11-04T23:10:45.000Z
on the programs we like to watch together. I suspect we'll have to start leaving more stuff til the weekend.
it helps
Reika
2011-11-04T23:34:23.000Z
Sure does! While the exercise, yoga, and meditation were mentioned on menopause websites, tv watching wasn't.
Reika
2011-11-04T23:34:45.000Z
I know that this can be a concern for insomniacs but had to be reminded to apply it to my own case.
It's a vicious cycle! "Oh I can't sleep and I'm bored, let's watch tv!" Go to bed hours later, can't sleep.